It's peaceful on top

Lessons from Wooden serve Warsaw's Ogle

Lessons from Wooden serve Warsaw's Ogle

February 27, 2009|By AL LESAR Tribune Columnist

WARSAW -- Nobody lives through what Doug Ogle experienced last spring without it having an impact. Ogle, Warsaw's boys basketball coach, was a spectator at his own funeral. He sat quietly while the community picked sides over his competency to do his job. In essence, the school board put off the witch hunt and, in his seventh season, made this Ogle's "OK, prove yourself" year. With 18 wins in 19 games heading into today's regular-season finale against Carroll (Allen), so far, so good. Since 2003, the 46-year-old Ogle has forged a zen-like master-student relationship with John Wooden. He's made seven pilgrimages to Westwood to absorb what he can from the legendary coach who has roots in South Bend. With knowledge has come a perspective that has gotten him through the turmoil. "I've taken a different approach this season," Ogle said. "I haven't been worried about things that have worried me before. I came to the conclusion I was going to be myself. I let go the fear of not being the coach here. "There comes a time when you have to realize all you can do is your best." Without a senior on his roster last season, Ogle was comfortable with his team's 14-9 record that included a sectional title. He knew the program was on solid ground, and, given the talent, will be for several years. The philosophy he brings to that talent is very Wooden-esque. "In the culture of our program, we don't talk about winning," Ogle said. "We talk more about effort, attitude and doing your best. If that falls into place, so will the wins. You focus on the process, not the results." The short-term repercussion of last spring's community debate nearly set the Tiger program back. Ogle said he noticed a decline in numbers attending conditioning workouts. Energy was missing. "The momentum we got from last season was lost," Ogle said. "I could see my credibility was affected. We had to start over." The rebirth came without a caveat. There was no "Win a whole bunch for Ogle" message sent. "We didn't make a big deal (about the community uprising)," Ogle said. "We mentioned it the first day of practice and that was it." It hasn't gone away, though. It's been that 700-pound gorilla with a front-row seat at the Tiger Den. Impressive wins over Clay, Fort Wayne Luers and at Marion have convinced Warsaw players they belong among the state's elite. A loss to Northridge reminds the Tigers getting out of next week's Class 4-A Elkhart Sectional is no gimme. Those championship banners hanging on the walls aren't casting a shadow over this team. Earlier this season, Warsaw celebrated the 25th anniversary of its 1984 state championship team. "Having those guys come back and meet our players made everything seem real," Ogle said. "Those players talked about what went into that season. "Sure, we've talked about winning a state championship. But, we've also talked about how difficult it is to win a sectional championship. We understand the reality of it." No matter the outcome, maybe this season will make Ogle's spring a little less stressful than last year.